Keith Urban Gets Help from Audience at Grand Ole Opry

Keith Urban always knows how to involve his fans during his shows, and concertgoers at the Grand Ole Opry got a first hand look at just how far he’ll go to make sure everyone has a great time.

On April 4, Urban performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to help celebrate his 5th Opry member anniversary. The country singer opened the show with his flawless guitar skills while transitioning into he and Carrie Underwood’s hit song, “The Fighter.” Although Underwood wasn’t in attendance to sing her part on the song’s chorus, that didn’t stop the crowd from jumping in on the opportunity to belt out her lyrics.

The audience echoed each and every word correctly until the end of the song when Urban mixed things up a bit by singing, “Hey Opry, I’m gonna be your fighter baby.”But this isn’t the first time Underwood has been replaced on “The Figher.” During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Urban performed the song with Spice Girl Mel.C. (Sporty Spice), who took over Underwood ’s part.

Obviously, there’s no denying the magic that Underwood brings to “The Fighter.” However, in a 2016 interview with Billboard, Urban reveals that having her on the track almost didn’t work out!

“That was the absolute last song we did for the record,” he said. “We didn’t have Carrie’s part and she was on her Storyteller Tour. As it turned out, she had a day off in St. Louis — the same day I was doing the “Wasted Time” video. busbee — who I wrote and produced the song with — flew to St. Louis, found a studio, got Carrie in there. She was singing her part and I was FaceTiming them from the video shoot — just so I could be a part of it. It was strange to be on the other side of the country, but due to the miracles of modern technology we got it done. I think she killed the song. I was so happy with how it turned out.”

Meanwhile, Urban is gearing up for a jam-packed summer full of country music festivals. In June, the country singe will be taking the stage at the Windstock Country Music Festival in Winsted, Minn.; the Buckeye Country Superfest in Columbus, OH; and CMA Fest in Nashville, Tenn. For more information on Urban’s tour dates and locations, readers can head to his official website.